Headers for the ZL1? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ladykiller · 07-06-2013, 07:26 AM

I've got a 2013 ZL1 coupe and was wondering what headers to get and what I need to do after I get them. I've got a K&N filter installed and that's it. I want to get headers and then I'm done with the mods. I plan on leaving the rest of the exhaust stock. So.....

1) What brand/model headers do you guys recommend?
2) Will this require the ZL1 to be re-tuned and how in the heck do I go about doing that?

DangerZL1 · 07-06-2013, 07:53 AM

Congratulatins on your ZL1! Not being critical, but before I invested in headers, I'd go a little further than just adding a K&N to the stock airbox. A no-tune RotoFab intake has been shown to add 20-30 RWHP, and compliments a set of headers really well and is the best value mod you can do. Secondly, most folks up the boost with a pulley change when adding headers, since they reduce the back pressure and may not give you the HP you're looking for by themselves. Headers really need a tune unless you're wanting to look at a check engine light.

There are several brands of headers depending on your budget. Kooks, American Racing, Stainless Works are popular higher end ones. Stainless power and Texas speed are lower cost ones. Is this a job you're going to do yourself, or are you looking to have someone else install them and tune it for you? Lastly. If you tune the car your power train warranty is toast, so that's something to think about if you weren't already aware.

toddsZL1 · 07-06-2013, 11:02 AM

I have Stainless Works, very good product, fit excellent and install was easy and the sound is amazeing!

Modern07 · 07-06-2013, 11:59 AM

I would go for the new Pfadt Tri-Y headers that have just been released - bigger gains than the regular headers according to the dyno runs and that is without a tune, plus no cutting of the belly pan that is required with some of the other brands

I originally ordered ARH headers, but swapped my order to the PFADTs when I heard about them - They will be getting put on mine in the next couple of weeks

Al C. · 07-06-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladykiller

I've got a 2013 ZL1 coupe and was wondering what headers to get and what I need to do after I get them. I've got a K&N filter installed and that's it. I want to get headers and then I'm done with the mods. I plan on leaving the rest of the exhaust stock. So.....

1) What brand/model headers do you guys recommend?
2) Will this require the ZL1 to be re-tuned and how in the heck do I go about doing that?

Mod your car however ud like but, you don't need headers. So many other mods you could do with better hp gains.

Ladykiller · 07-06-2013, 04:37 PM

Just getting information and feedback right now which is appreciated. Voiding the warranty will have to be considered. I could wait until that time is up which would give me plenty of time to decide. Afterall, 580hp is really plenty for me.

DangerZL1 · 07-06-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladykiller

Afterall, 580hp is really plenty for me.

You'll give in....

LuckyZL-1 · 07-06-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

You'll give in....

*mlee* · 07-06-2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al C.

Mod your car however ud like but, you don't need headers. So many other mods you could do with better hp gains.

^^^This

2012-1822 · 07-06-2013, 09:25 PM

I have two things to say, scratch that, a third that is huge.

1. I ordered 1&7/8" American Racing Headers and Rotofab CAI from Juiced, a vendor on here. Installed the Rotofab myself one night, no problems with that, was an enjoyable Friday evening. My buddy helped, ok he did it, the install on the headers. A little trickier, the steering had to be disconnected and he took off the motor mounts and jacked the motor up a little, but it all went back together and runs good. Only thing was a bolt on the passenger side was rubbing the header and needed to be trimmed, and a ground wire on that same side was touching the header and needed to be adjusted.Plus the belly pan has to be trimmed with long tube headers. No tune, CEL is on, I don't care, and see #3 for why I don't care.

2. After I did my headers I talked to the guys at my local dealer and they are now the SLP dealer for the area. They offer SLP shorty headers, high flow air filter(probably basically what you already have) and a downloaded tune from SLP. The trick is that all of that does not void your warranty installed at one of these dealers, so they said. Benefit other than the warranty is that I believe with this option the belly pan does not have to be trimmed as it does with long tube headers.

3. This is the big one, you only think you'll want to do those two things, you'll want more after you get those on, I know I do. So this fall I'm ordering pulleys and getting a tune and I feel like that might hold me over for a year before I'll absolutely have to have more.

TripleBlkZL1 · 07-07-2013, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

You'll give in....

Yup.... I did

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-07-2013, 07:04 AM

You will get much more HP from pulley & air intake than headers. Start with mods to increase air flow coming in + boost. Do it right and get a tune to really wake it up.

2012-1822 · 07-07-2013, 08:19 AM

I hear ya'll saying more hp for the money with mods besides headers, I know I'm not the only one that thinks the exhaust needed a little extra something, great sound, just not quite loud enough. Headers fix that, it's awesome now. Headers, "high flow cats", factory catback, can still use the exhaust valves if you want, although I still have the fuse pulled. But as people say about it, now it sounds like a ZL1.

Ladykiller · 08-07-2014, 10:20 AM

So, I need to re-visit this thread..... Question, what brand headers require modification to the ZL1 such as trimming parts, etc? I am looking for headers with a few criteria: 1) no trimming/modification 2) preferably stainless 3) preferably ceramic coated.

07-06-2013, 07:26 AM	#1
Ladykiller Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2013 Location: WA Posts: 104	Headers for the ZL1? I've got a 2013 ZL1 coupe and was wondering what headers to get and what I need to do after I get them. I've got a K&N filter installed and that's it. I want to get headers and then I'm done with the mods. I plan on leaving the rest of the exhaust stock. So..... 1) What brand/model headers do you guys recommend? 2) Will this require the ZL1 to be re-tuned and how in the heck do I go about doing that?

07-06-2013, 11:59 AM	#4
Modern07 Mid-Florida Camaro Club Drives: 2019 ZL1 on Order Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Heathrow, FL Posts: 3,136	I would go for the new Pfadt Tri-Y headers that have just been released - bigger gains than the regular headers according to the dyno runs and that is without a tune, plus no cutting of the belly pan that is required with some of the other brands I originally ordered ARH headers, but swapped my order to the PFADTs when I heard about them - They will be getting put on mine in the next couple of weeks __________________ My Build Thread

07-06-2013, 09:25 PM	#10
2012-1822 Drives: Black ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: City of Champions, Alabama Posts: 3,697	I have two things to say, scratch that, a third that is huge. 1. I ordered 1&7/8" American Racing Headers and Rotofab CAI from Juiced, a vendor on here. Installed the Rotofab myself one night, no problems with that, was an enjoyable Friday evening. My buddy helped, ok he did it, the install on the headers. A little trickier, the steering had to be disconnected and he took off the motor mounts and jacked the motor up a little, but it all went back together and runs good. Only thing was a bolt on the passenger side was rubbing the header and needed to be trimmed, and a ground wire on that same side was touching the header and needed to be adjusted.Plus the belly pan has to be trimmed with long tube headers. No tune, CEL is on, I don't care, and see #3 for why I don't care. 2. After I did my headers I talked to the guys at my local dealer and they are now the SLP dealer for the area. They offer SLP shorty headers, high flow air filter(probably basically what you already have) and a downloaded tune from SLP. The trick is that all of that does not void your warranty installed at one of these dealers, so they said. Benefit other than the warranty is that I believe with this option the belly pan does not have to be trimmed as it does with long tube headers. 3. This is the big one, you only think you'll want to do those two things, you'll want more after you get those on, I know I do. So this fall I'm ordering pulleys and getting a tune and I feel like that might hold me over for a year before I'll absolutely have to have more. __________________ Check out Alabama Camaros, for Camaro enthusiasts all around Alabama https://www.facebook.com/groups/1739...group_activity

07-07-2013, 07:04 AM	#12
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,824	You will get much more HP from pulley & air intake than headers. Start with mods to increase air flow coming in + boost. Do it right and get a tune to really wake it up. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

07-07-2013, 08:19 AM	#13
2012-1822 Drives: Black ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: City of Champions, Alabama Posts: 3,697	I hear ya'll saying more hp for the money with mods besides headers, I know I'm not the only one that thinks the exhaust needed a little extra something, great sound, just not quite loud enough. Headers fix that, it's awesome now. Headers, "high flow cats", factory catback, can still use the exhaust valves if you want, although I still have the fuse pulled. But as people say about it, now it sounds like a ZL1. __________________ Check out Alabama Camaros, for Camaro enthusiasts all around Alabama https://www.facebook.com/groups/1739...group_activity

07-06-2013, 07:53 AM	#2
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,936	Congratulatins on your ZL1! Not being critical, but before I invested in headers, I'd go a little further than just adding a K&N to the stock airbox. A no-tune RotoFab intake has been shown to add 20-30 RWHP, and compliments a set of headers really well and is the best value mod you can do. Secondly, most folks up the boost with a pulley change when adding headers, since they reduce the back pressure and may not give you the HP you're looking for by themselves. Headers really need a tune unless you're wanting to look at a check engine light. There are several brands of headers depending on your budget. Kooks, American Racing, Stainless Works are popular higher end ones. Stainless power and Texas speed are lower cost ones. Is this a job you're going to do yourself, or are you looking to have someone else install them and tune it for you? Lastly. If you tune the car your power train warranty is toast, so that's something to think about if you weren't already aware.

07-06-2013, 11:02 AM	#3
toddsZL1 Drives: 2012 ZL1 IOM#1645 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SHAWANO,WI Posts: 398	I have Stainless Works, very good product, fit excellent and install was easy and the sound is amazeing!

07-06-2013, 04:37 PM	#6
Ladykiller Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2013 Location: WA Posts: 104	Just getting information and feedback right now which is appreciated. Voiding the warranty will have to be considered. I could wait until that time is up which would give me plenty of time to decide. Afterall, 580hp is really plenty for me.

08-07-2014, 10:20 AM	#14
Ladykiller Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2013 Location: WA Posts: 104	So, I need to re-visit this thread..... Question, what brand headers require modification to the ZL1 such as trimming parts, etc? I am looking for headers with a few criteria: 1) no trimming/modification 2) preferably stainless 3) preferably ceramic coated.